I have a container field that stores a PDF file and I want to be able to view that container WITHIN Filemaker without the user having to export it. Is this possible?

Is it possible to view a container/field from the web viewer?

*I'm just thinking outloud here* I was thinking maybe having a script that sets a ~Temp container to the PDF I want to view, going to another layout with the Webviewer, and have the webviewer pointing to that ~Temp container... if that's even possible. I'm not sure.

On another note, the file is stored completely within the container, not as a reference. I think this is where the problem occurs.

I know you can view it if the file is stored as a reference... also I would like to avoid exporting the cotainer contents to the user's temp folder and point the web viewer to that file

Thanks ahead of time.

Edited March 11, 201015 yr by Guest

Geoff's blog will help: http://sixfriedrice.com/wp/filemaker-9-tip9-web-viewers-without-the-web/

However, the technique doesn't support embedded PDFs. imho, you don't want to do that anyway. Your file will grow very large and backup will take much longer.

You're right, and I REALLY don't like storing the files in the container but we have Remote Users in a mixed Operating System Environment... it makes for a big mess when using references for FileMac / FileWin

Really? Have you considered SuperContainer? or an FTP server for the docs?

Edited March 11, 201015 yr by Guest

In my search I came across this example but I didn't understand how to deploy it.

I tried it earlier and all it did was display the name of the File in the webviewer, as opposed to the actual file itself.

Ya, I've wanted to use an FTP server for ages now... but

1) My boss is Filemaker crazy... everything has to be integrated into one, easy system.

2) The users (my boss) would have difficulty navigating to an FTP server. So it wouldn't work.. Haha.

What MIME should I be using?

I have [ "data:application/pdf," & File::Container ] and I keep getting some error message saying "File doesn't not begin with '%PDF-'"

Edited March 11, 201015 yr by Guest

You cannot use the data html approach with an embedded file. Reread Geoff's blog. See his answer to Mike.

They wouldn't need to navigate to the FTP server, your script would fetch the file using FTPeek plugin from 360.

Call 360 and see what they recommend.

Thanks for your help. I'll give 360 a call.

In case you are still interested, this is how I do it on a PC:

Base64Encode the PDF (e.g. using 360Works ScriptMaster) and store the result in a text field. Link to this field from the WebViever with "data:image/pdf;base64," & theEncodedFieldName. Then, dependent on the Adobe Reader preference settings, it will show in the WebViewer directly, or open up the Reader in a separate window.

Actually, it is possible to view pdf or other images on web browser, all your need is applying a pdf web viewer control, no flash, no download. such pdf web viewer needs some javascript, here is a online tutorial on how to create a pdf online web viewer, hope it can help you.